Rafting
Ecuador’s relief is carved by innumerable rivers with rafting or kayaking tours in the Sierra, Coast or Ecuadorian amazonian forest.
Horseback Riding
The Sierra region offers many opportunities for horseback riding, particularly at the many haciendas that are now country inns.Hiking
Ecuador’s great wilderness areas and striking landscapes offer fantastic opportunities for hiking, though a general absence of well-marked trails and decent trekking maps does mean more effort is required.
The widest variety of hikes is found in the Sierra, where numerous mule paths lead into the mountains and up to the paramo, providing access to stunning views and exhilarating, wide-open spaces. The country’s best-known long distance hike is in the southern sierra: The Inca trail to Ingapirca, a three-day hike ending up at Ecuador’s most important ruins. It is best to arrange a hiking tour with a reputable, local guide.
Climbing
Ecuador’s “avenue of the volcanoes,” is formed by the twin Andes ranges running the length of the country. Amateur or beginner hikers can enjoy the easy day-trips, while experienced climbers can tackle the mountain’s challenging technical peaks. The most popular snow-peaks, require full mountaineering equipment: Cayambe (5790m), Cotopaxi (5897m) and Iliniza Sur (5263m).
Diving
Almost seven million unexplored hectares make up the Marine Reserve of Galápagos. It is considered by experts as one of the best sites in the world for watching aquatic life, including whale sharks, humpback whales, marine dolphins, lions, rays, eels, turtles, penguins, sea cucumbers and an endless number of invertebrates.
Specialized Galápagos operators with offices in Quito offer tours for all levels of expertise – with an average of up to three daily dives. The best time of the year for the observation of marine life is from November to May.
Bird Watching
With more than 1,500 species, Ecuador offers the largest variety of birds in the smallest area. The greatest diversity is found on the western flank of the Andes, where there are hundreds of species of hummingbirds, tanagers and flycatchers, to name a few. Mindo, west of Quito, is internationally recognized as an important bird area, and there are several fine private reserves in the area renowned for their bird-life.
Whale Watching
The best time for whale watching is the months of July and August. The arrival of the whales is an event that can be appreciated along most of the Ecuadorian coast, but one of the best places for this experience is in Puerto Lopez. Here you will find many whale watching companies, but it is also possible to negotiate a good price with local fishermen.
